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Vanessa Valentin knew her own health and happiness increased through practicing dance and fitness, and she wanted to help other people feel the same way. She opened RhythmX to make it happen, a fitness and dance studio focused on Latin and hip-hop grooves.
Here, Vanessa and 10 other instructors conduct three types of Zumba classes, including Zumba, Zumba Toning, and Zumba Sentao, along with Latin hip-hop sessions. Unlike most hip-hop classes, which teach students a set routine, their sessions work to arm students with a core set of moves, helping them feel more comfortable on the dance floor.

For a great place to get down and dance in Orlando, Dance Trance Fitness' got you covered.
Create a team around you to help support your fitness goals. That's why their personal trainers could be the perfect fit for you.
Cross fit burns calories like no other routines.
Dancing is a great way to express yourself and an easy way to avoid the gym, so why not sign up for a class at Dance Trance Fitness?
Parking is plentiful, so patrons can feel free to bring their vehicles.

Sports fans know to plan their weekend around Vixen Fitness Orlando in Orlando.
With a sizzling plate of terrific food, this club boasts among the best eats this side of the city.
Kickboxing is a great way to whip your whole body into shape. Sign up for a class today.
Parking is plentiful, so patrons can feel free to bring their vehicles.

For those who enjoy dancing, Orlando's Fred Astaire Dance Studio is a great place to get down to your favorite tunes.
Even the clumsiest of dancers will learn how to glide gracefully at Fred Astaire Dance Studio.
A nearby parking lot is readily available for Fred Astaire Dance Studio's customers.

Break in your dancing shoes at Orlando's Orlando Ballet South and get ready for a great time.
Get down with some dancing! Orlando Ballet South offers several different forms so you can tweak your technique to a T.
Parking is plentiful, so patrons can feel free to bring their vehicles.

Groupon Guide

Prom pose. It’s something that’s universally understood, like gravity, or not posting Game of Thrones spoilers on Facebook. Yet somehow, even with that understanding, the awkward prom pose has become the status quo for all prom photos, despite the fact that nothing is more awkward than making two nervous, probably-not-dating teens embrace in public, in front of their parents.But maybe prom photos are just, like, meant to be awkward. Maybe it’s a rite of passage. Like the prom pose, there are certain horrors that plague everyone’s pics. After talking to Groupon employees about their own prom photos, we found that awkwardness was ubiquitous. But also constructive.From our very careful analysis, we now present the six things you need to do to capture gloriously awkward prom photos that can be laughed at for generations. And if you want to rebel against tradition, there are also some tips for getting genuinely nice pictures.(Editor’s note: To protect the identities of those who do not work here and did not sign up for prom-pic-shaming, their faces have been disguised by emojis that represent their actual expressions as closely as possible.)1. GET TAN, even if you physically can't.“I went tanning so much in 2002, George W. probably should have issued an executive order against it. I am Scotch-Irish. It was unnatural.” – Kelly MacDowell“You can see that I attempted to tan, but only the day before prom. I laid out in my backyard and proceeded to only get red, so in all my photos it looks like I’ve been dancing really hard … I basically haven’t been out in daylight for more than 20 minutes since 2004.” – Liz Juranek, pictured rightActual tip: Don’t feel compelled to go tanning. Pasty people have their place in the world. Nicole Kidman is porcelain as heck and she is a boss. If you’d like to be tan in your pics, though, make sure to give yourself at least a few weeks to build up color.2. Stand in direct sunlight for every. single. picture.“There are [some] shots of just the guys. In one, I am pretty sure I am the only one wearing sunglasses.” – John Flaherty“I remember the sun was in my eyes the entire time. Plus, it was glinting hard off the rhinestones on my dress. People probably shouldn’t look directly at the pictures without one of those solar-eclipse-pinhole things.” – Kelly MacDowellActual tip: Take pictures during the golden hour, which occurs just before sunset. The light is more diffused, and you should be able to avoid blinding anyone. 3. Make sure every shot is 10000% posed.“Perhaps the most embarrassing part of the whole to-do was how many parents were there, and how many photos were taken… The photo on the stairs [above, left] went completely wrong. My date looks very disdainful of his corsage-pinning abilities [above, center]. The Charlie’s Angels pose [above, right] was outdated even then.” – Mel Kassel“Because there was a lack of actual couples [in our group] it looks like everyone is trying desperately not to touch so they don’t imply some sort of romantic connection.” – Kate RafteryActual tips: First of all, don’t force “romantic” poses on pairs if they aren’t dating. Also, try to capture candid moments. Teens hate posing for their parents. Being more candid will produce more flattering, natural shots.4. Wear the most baller prom gear you can find.“I was crazy about the 1940s at the time and dressed in a red-velvet peplum with a black satin mermaid skirt and a BOUFFANT. WHY. I thought I was hot s**t until I entered the dance and everyone looked at me really strangely.” – Ashley Hamer“My main takeaway from this photo is that 18-year-old me did not know how to shop for a strapless bra. I should probably be laughing at the fact that my hair and dress match, but I'm actually rather impressed with my ability to match them so well. Frankly, I wish I were as good at matching now as I was on prom night.” – Shannon Jewitt, pictured rightActual tip: There’s no real rule here. This one all depends on your teen’s personality. If they want to go big, let ‘em. If they don’t, then opt for classic formalwear, hair, and makeup. Either way, knowing which colors look best on you will help get the most flattering photos possible. 5. Pick the smallest and/or most banal place to take pictures.“My mom’s weird knickknacks and the vast, featureless expanse of our front yard have been preserved for posterity. (Why was my house chosen again?)” – Kate Raftery“There is one ridiculous shot with, like, a dozen couples [squeezed] in front of a fireplace. We were all positioned in the classic prom pose.” – John FlahertyActual tip: If you’re gonna have 52 people getting together for this, you might as well chose a spacious, more picturesque location, like a town square or a dang park.6. Make your body look as awkward as possible.“While taking pictures in my mom’s backyard, the stilettos I wore punctured the soft sod and sunk deep into the earth. You couldn’t see my heels and I couldn’t move. I had to manually lift my legs one after the other to change poses.” – Stephanie Anderson, pictured left“I am slouched over like the Hunchback of Notre Dame… [it] should have taught me to stand up straight (it did not).” – Liz JuranekActual tip: Sorry kids, but we’ve gotta echo Mom on this one. Stand up straight. Preferably on solid ground.Perhaps the most important thing to remember is this: just because your photos are awkward, that doesn’t meant the night will be.“Though we were all bumbling about like the insufferable teens we were, we made no bad memories that night,” Mel said. “Truly, a feat.”Hero image adapted from: Prom 1983 by Andrew Kitzmiller under CC by 2.0Get picture-perfect with these other photography tips: A Pro Photographer's Tips for Composed PortraitsThe Solutions to Seven Common Makeup and Beauty Questions

Even the thought of asking someone to dance can lead to sweaty palms and weak knees. The best way to gain confidence? Attend adult dance classes—on your own. Kenneth Jarvis of Fred Astaire Dance Studio West Loop tells us how with answers to these commonly asked questions. The following interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.Do many people come to dance classes on their own?“Now that Dancing with the Stars is something that’s in everyone’s home, a lot more people are exposed to the fact that you don’t have to have a partner when you dance. Half of our students are single ladies or single gentlemen that just want to learn how to dance.”Should I try to zero in on a potential partner when I first get in?“Rely on your instructors for help. They know the students better than anyone else in the room. When someone calls, we interview them to find out what their interests might be and why they’re actually learning how to dance. The more we know before they actually come in, the better we can cater who to actually put them with.”Is it okay to talk while we’re dancing?“Absolutely! It's encouraged. That’s one of the things we want people to overcome, so immediately when you start training and learning your first dance, you’re going to start talking as a test. We want to teach you how to be comfortable—to not have to worry about what your feet are doing.”When choosing partners, what if I’m the odd one out?“Good studios will always recommend rotating. In social dancing, you're never going to have the same partner constantly, so it's good for you to feel what other partners feel like.” The bottom line: if you’re ever without a partner, don’t worry. It should only be a few minutes before everyone switches.Is there an easy way to get over feeling nervous?“Public speaking and dancing in front of people are the same exact thing—something that takes a lot of courage, especially if you’re not comfortable or if you don’t really know what you’re doing. But once you start to learn how to dance, you develop a really strong sense of confidence in being able to go out and share that experience with other people.”How long will it take to learn to dance well?“It’s going to take practice. It’s going to take consistent practice. If you’re serious about learning how to dance, look into private instruction. It’s the fastest way to accomplish whatever your goal is. “The Dancing with the Stars people rehearse for eight hours a day, so it’s something that doesn’t happen overnight. Just be patient with yourself. You can learn!” Even if you don’t have a partner. Photo: Geoffrey Kartes, Groupon.

Starting a new fitness routine or dance class is always intimidating. But the idea of pole fitness—spins, tricks, and choreography centered around a vertical pole—can seem especially scary. The acrobatics look tough, and tapping into inner sensuality doesn’t come easy to all of us. And then, there’s the pole’s reputation to consider. When she started teaching pole-dance classes in California 12 years ago, Sedusa Studios owner Carol Whitsett would get eye rolls from people who didn’t understand her business. Rashida Hobbs, owner of Pole’itcians Fitness Studio in Texas, received an even more extreme reaction: “When I first opened, they actually stopped me from getting my certificate of occupancy because they [thought I was] trying to have some underground club.” Luckily, pole studios have since become far more mainstream, and pole fitness is now offered at many gyms. Its physical benefits are undeniable, but its emotional benefits can be even more profound. After speaking to Carol and Rashida about their experiences, we composed this guide as a resource for anyone who’s contemplating their first fireman spin. What to Look for in a Pole StudioCourtesy of Sedusa StudiosIt’s important to note that not all pole studios are the same. When you’re researching the ones in your area, be sure to look into the following factors:The setting: Carol said her students love Sedusa’s soft, red lighting and intimate feel. Rashida’s studio, on the other hand, is located inside a gym. Each type of venue has its advantages, so you just need to gauge where you feel more comfortable. Cleanliness should be a commonality in all of the studios you look at, though, and it’s best to find one where every student is assigned to her own pole.The curriculum: A glance at the class page can tell you if a studio specializes in dance, fitness, or both. Introductory classes are the best way to ease yourself into pole routines, and they often only admit newbies so that everyone begins at the same level. Many studios structure their curriculum around classes that last for multiple weeks and end with a choreographed performance. Peruse the calendar to get a sense of the class pace and what tricks you’ll be learning. The atmosphere: Atmosphere is probably the most important element of any pole studio, and it differs based on the instructors’ mission. Rashida’s studio emphasizes pole fitness. Her classes are ACE certified, they don’t typically involve high heels, and she considers them to be more of a workout than a dance performance. “I think, within the next eight years—if not sooner—[pole fitness] will be in the Olympics,” she said. Carol’s studio, however, has a different dogma—and a lot of high heels. She compared pole dance to ballet, saying, “You do ballet to enchant a prince; you pole-dance to seduce your lover. Both [involve] telling a story with your body; both are athletic.” Though Sedusa does have pole-fitness classes on its schedule, its focus is on choreography, storytelling, and learning to embrace your sultry side. What to Expect from ClassAlthough different pole studios have different attitudes, the effects of attending class seem to be the same—and overwhelmingly positive—no matter where you go.A fitter bod: “You’re getting all the benefits of aerobics and also the hard fitness of weightlifting mixed in one exercise,” Rashida said. She’s had former weightlifters come to the studio who were “overconfident,” only to be surprised by the difficulty of the workout. “You’re using all of your muscles at once, [including] the little muscles that normally go neglected.”Even at studios where dance is first priority, you’ll build muscle and endurance by playing on the pole. And, as Carol explained, you’ll learn how to stand straighter. “You’ll always be working on posture, posture, posture. … You have to be holding your shoulder blades down, and your chest has to be open.” Another unexpected reward? Holding the pole will strengthen your hand grip! “It will make opening jars easier,” Carol said. Confidence and catharsis: Increased confidence is always touted as a benefit of pole dancing, and both Rashida and Carol confirm this. But they also spoke at length about how pole work often constitutes a therapeutic exercise. “Vulnerability is a common term that I use around the studio,” Rashida said. During class, she sets aside time for her students to look in the mirror and say affirming statements about their bodies. “I’ve had women burst out in tears because they’ve never said they’re beautiful or never even thought about it.”Of her studio, Carol said, “It’s the only place where [my students] feel no judgement. … It heals something that’s inside of them.” An extended family: By sharing and letting go of their insecurities, students form a bond that’s impossible to get from any other group class. “Women that meet in the pole studio become the best of friends,” Rashida said. The experience unites them regardless of where they came from or what they do for a living. “I have exotic dancers, I have attorneys, I have principals and teachers … women from all different walks of life who walk into our studio to learn.” Carol echoed the sentiment. “[My students] come for so many different reasons … [but] the minute you walk out, everyone is excited together.”Learn about the unexpected benefits of other fitness disciplines:Five Things I Learned from PilatesCrossFit, Decoded